PRESS RELEASES

RYAN NUGENT-HOPKINS NAMED TOP FORWARD AT 2013 WJC

By Josh Evans, OKC Barons on 01/05/2013

Oklahoma City Barons centerman Ryan Nugent-Hopkins was named the top forward at the 2013 World Junior Hockey Championship in Ufa, Russia earlier today.

In six games played for Team Canada in the tournament, Nugent-Hopkins scored 15 points (4-11-15). Team Canada came up short in their bid for a medal in 15 straight tournaments with a 6-5 overtime loss to the host Russian squad earlier this morning in the Bronze Medal game.

Originally the #1 overall selection in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft, Nugent-Hopkins was assigned to Oklahoma City in mid-September by the Edmonton Oilers. He has played in 19 games with Oklahoma City and scored 20 points (8-12-20).

At 19 years of age, Nugent-Hopkins represented his country at the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) Under-20 tournament known as the World Junior Championship as captain for Team Canada. Nine players on the Barons roster have represented their countries in the World Junior Championships. They included Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Colten Teubert, Olivier Roy, and Curtis Hamilton for Team Canada, Magnus Paajarvi and Anton Lander for Team Sweden, Teemu Hartikainen for Team Finland and Martin Marincin for Team Slovakia.

Team U.S.A. captured the gold medal by downing Sweden 3-1 in the final game of the tournament. The Americans were paced by Rocco Grimaldi’s two goals and stellar goaltending from the top goaltender in the tournament John Gibson. The gold medal is U.S.A.’s second in the last four years.

Nugent-Hopkins’ Oklahoma City teammates close out a brief road trip with two games this weekend. Saturday, they visit the Milwaukee Admirals for the first time this season. Faceoff is 7 p.m. Sunday, the take on the Chicago Wolves for the first time this season. Faceoff is at 4 p.m. Both games can be heard on the Barons flagship station, 96.1 KXY.

A variety of ticket packages are available to meet every individual or group need. Packages ranging from 7-game and 11-game packs to Full Season Seats are available. Call the Barons’ front office at 405-232-4625 for information on group outings, Season Seats and other ticket packages.